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Giuni Russo

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Giuni Russo
Background information
Birth nameGiuseppa Romeo
Born(1951-09-10)10 September 1951
Palermo,Italy
Died14 September 2004(2004-09-14)(aged 53)
Milan,Italy
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1968–2004
Labels
Websitegiunirusso.it

Giuseppa Romeo(10 September 1951 – 14 September 2004), known professionally asGiuni Russo(Italian pronunciation:[ˈdʒuːniˈrusso]), was an Italian singer who specialised in experimental music after a short successful stint as an art-pop singer in the early 1980s. With her five-octaves range, she could produce extremely high notes and experimental sounds. She sang in Italian, English, French, German, Chinese, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian and Latin.

Biography[edit]

Giuni Russo was born inPalermo,Sicily,on 7 September 1951. Busy with several family matters (Giuni is the eighth of nine siblings) her father Pietro Romeo registered her three days later, on 10 September.[1]

As a child, singing was more important to Russo than playing or studying. She was often asked to perform at school. Her teacher offered her own desk to Russo to be used as a stage, but she was so shy she preferred to perform while hiding behind the classroom door. Her first public appearance was on a small stage actors from the Politeama Theatre in Palermo.

Without her family's knowledge, Russo took singing lessons from Master Ettore Gaiezza, paying him with the money earned from her local shows.

At age 15, she sang at theCastrocaro festival,reaching the semifinal. The following year she won the festival by unanimous vote, singing "Hurt" byTimi Yuroand "A chi" byFausto Leali.The following year she competed in theSanremo Festivalunder the name ofGiusy Romeo,singing "No amore".[1]

She released two singles during 1968, "No amore" and "L'onda". After her participation atUn Disco per l'Estate,CantagiroandFestivalbarwith the song "L'onda", she recorded the cover version of "Smoke in your eyes" and the cover of "I Say A Little Prayer" ofAretha Franklinin 1969. That year, she moved toMilanto collaborate with musician and songwriter Maria Antonietta Sisini.

1970s[edit]

In the 1970s, Russo began with several participations as chorist for many artist's publications. In 1972 she sang in the choirs ofBalletto di Bronzo'sYs.

In 1974 she signed a contract for the German label BASF, which gave her the pseudonym ofJunie Russo,later changed to the Italian spellingGiuni.The following year her firstLP,Love Is a Woman(sung in English) was released. In this period she also collaborated with Sisini as songwriter for other authors. Meanwhile, many singles were published such as "Everything is gonna be alright", a cover byPP Arnold.The last single recorded as Junie Russo, "Mai", was released in 1976 for the Durium.[1]

In the meantime, Russo and Sisini were appreciated as music composers for other artist's songs.

In 1978, she was renamed Giuni Russo and recorded a single for WEA (Italian arm ofWarner Music Group), "Soli noi" (it), which became a surprise hit in France, leading to the French branch of RCA to offer her a recording contract, an offer she turned down when she decided to remain in Italy.

1980s[edit]

In 1979 she met the Sicilian singer-songwriterFranco Battiato,who produced her second LP, entitledEnergiefor the labelCGD,released in 1981, containing the work of musicians such as Sisini,Franco Battiato,Giusto Pio,Alberto Radiusand others.[1]

In 1982 Giuni reached the peak of her popularity with the hit "Un'estate al mare",which wentGold Disc.[1]She participated in the "Festivalbar", "Vota la voce", and many other events and broadcasts singing.

In 1983 she released the LPVox,followed by her last work for that label LPMediterranea(1984).[1]

After divergences with the label's producer,Caterina Caselli,who wanted more commercial works, in 1986 she moved to labelRicordi,for which she released the LPsGiuni(1986),ALBUM(1987) and the more experimentalA casa di Ida Rubinstein(1988), which featured influences of classical music.

Giuni and her life companion, Maria Antonietta Sisini, began to undergo a religious conversion and became practicing Catholics. Many of her works subsequently developed a religious nature such as "La Sua Figura". Giuni became devoted toSt. Ignatius of Loyolaand especiallySt. Teresa of Ávila.[2][3]

1990s[edit]

In the 1990s Russo devoted herself to World Music and music-theater.

In 1992, she releasedAmala,an album with sound of world-music, Arabic.

In 1994, she released a new album,Se fossi più simpatica sarei meno antipatica.

The title is inspired byEttore Petrolini's monologueFortunello.This album marked Russo's return toEmi,her first record company.

After two very much participations to the 'Premio Tenco' in 1994 with "Ciao amore", a cover byLuigi Tenco,and in 1995 with a minishow. In 1997 Russo published the single "Gabbiano", with the labelNAR International[it];a CD was supposed to follow but that never happened because of different point of view of the label manager.

Her first live album,Voce prigioniera,was released in 1998.

2000s[edit]

In 2002 she released the second live album,Signorina Romeo,by theSony Music. An emotional way through classic and unpublished songs, in which Giuni's spiritual research and the artistic and human evolution clearly emerge.

In 2003, after another and last participation to the Sanremo festival, withMorirò d'amore.Giuni released her last album,Morirò d'amore( "I Will Die of Love" ). In this year she released, on 28 November, another new albumDemo de midi.

In April 2004, she released a last new albumNapoli che cantawith DVD (a suite musical or soundtrack for the films "Napoli che canta" ).

Death[edit]

Russo died from cancer in her home inMilanon the night of 13 September 2004, at age 53. She was buried in a section of theCimitero Maggiore di Milanotraditionally reserved for Carmelite nuns.[4]

Legacy[edit]

The year following her death, Russo's immense repertory began to be published, starting with NAR, in 2005, ofMediterranea Tour,a 1984 concert, and the remixed and remasteredA casa di Ida Rubinstein,which, in the meantime, became unobtainable on the market. The DVD/CD is, like all the previous and following works, produced by Maria Antonietta Sisini and is the best selling product of all the charts, staying on the top for many weeks.

In 2005, after 25 yearsEnergieis back to the charts, the only case of the kind, reprinted by Wea and including three bonus tracks:Un'estate al mare,Bing bang beingandAdeste fideles.

In 2006 Giuni virtually duets with various national and international artists inUnusual,in which Giuni's voice sings withCaparezza,Lene Lovich,Franco Battiato,Toni Child and others, alternating original musical arrangement with brand new others.

In 2007 is the year of three publications: the whole remastered reprintSe fossi pi' simpatica sarei meno antipatica(1994),The complete Giuni,triple anthological CD, the only official one, and the DVD DocufilmLa sua figuraof Franco Battiato. Both works, immediately hit the charts.

In 2008 the albumCercati in meis released. It contains five previously unpublished and a fascinating ethnic-sounding mini-suites.

In 2009, he sees the light, the official biography, published by BompianiGiuni Russo, da Un'estate al mare al Carmelo,written byBianca Pitzorno,with the collaboration of Maria Antonietta Sisini, and a note by Franco Battiato. In addition to the book, the box contains the DVD/Docufilm "La sua figura" (2007) by Franco Battiato and a CD of six tracks unreleased demos.

In 2011 "A casa di Ida Rubinstein 2011", Cd+DVD, a new edition of the 1988's album with some great guests and a "jazz hint": Uri Caine, Brian Auger, Paolo Fresu.

In April 2012 the 1975's albumLove Is a Womanis released on CD for the first time. The album, entirely sung in English, was recorded with the name "Junie Russo". Between the musician, Enrico Rava at the trumpet.

27 May 2012 The Gallery of the Zancanaro Theatre has been dedicated to Giuni Russo. On GiuniParaSiempre Fan Club's request, the City of Sacile, Friuli Venezia Giulia, was happy to pay tribute to Giuni, whom in 2003 gave her last concert in that Theatre.

In 2013,Pope Francispersonally wrote to Maria Antonietta Sisini, Giuni Russo's life companion, expressing his appreciation for the spiritual music of Giuni Russo.[5]

Discography[edit]

As Giusy Romeo[edit]

Single

  • 1968 –No amore / AmeraiColumbia/EMI (SCMQ 7082)
  • 1968 –L'onda / Lui e LeiColumbia/EMI (SCMQ 7095)
  • 1968 –I primi minuti / Fumo negli occhiColumbia/EMI (SCMQ 7118)

As Junie Russo[edit]

Single

  • 1975 –Milk of Paradise / I've Drunk in my DreamBASF (06 13325-Q)
  • 1975 –Everything Is Gonna Be Alright / VodkaBASF (06 13330-Q)
  • 1975 –In trappola / Lui nell'animaGHIBLI (CD 4506)
  • 1976 –Mai / Che mi succede adessoDURIUM (Ld A 7950)

Albums

  • 1975 –Love Is a WomanBASF (21-23326 Q)

As Giuni Russo[edit]

Singles

  • 1978 –Soli noi / La chiaveELEKTRA (T 12290)
  • 1982 –Un'estate al mare/ Bing bang beingCGD (CGD 10401)
  • 1982 –Good Good Bye / Post modernoCGD (CGD 10437)
  • 1982 –Una Vipera Sarò / Tappeto Volante
  • 1983 –Good Good Bye / Un'estate al mare
  • 1984 –Mediterranea / Limonata cha cha chaCGD (CGD 10548)
  • 1986 –Alghero / Occhiali coloratiBUBBLE/RICORDI (BLU 9233)
  • 1987 –Ragazzi al luna-park / Mango papaiaBUBBLE/RICORDI (BLU 9238)
  • 1987 –Adrenalina / Adrenalina (remix strumental)BUBBLE/RICORDI (BLUX 934)
  • 1987 –Mango Papaia / Mango papaia (remix strumental)BUBBLE/RICORDI (BLUX?)
  • 1990 –Un'estate al mare / Una vipera sarò(CGD 3984 23892-9)
  • 1994 –Se fossi più simpatica sarei meno antipatica
  • 1995 –Un'estate al mare (love guitar remix) / Un'estate al mare (deep mix) / Un'estate al mare (July 41 st)ITWHY (ITW 05)
  • 1997 –Gabbiano / Fonti mobiliNAR (NAR 40132)
  • 2000 –Un'estate al mare (space mix) / Un'estate al mare (cub mix) / Un'estate al mare (dub version)HITLAND (EXTRA 05 CDs)
  • 2003 –Morirò d'amore / Il re del mondo (live)
  • 2006 –Un'estate al mare (remix feat. Megahertz)– PROMO
  • 2006 –Adrenalina (remix feat. MAB)– PROMO
  • 2006 –Una vipera sarò (remix feat.Caparezza)– PROMO

Albums

  • 1981 –EnergieCGD (CGD 20269)
  • 1983 –VoxCGD (CGD 20360)
  • 1984 –MediterraneaCGD (CGD 20409)
  • 1986 –GiuniBUBBLE/RICORDI (BLULP 1822)
  • 1987 –AlbumBUBBLE/RICORDI (BLULP 1825)
  • 1988 –A casa di Ida RubinsteinL’OTTAVA/EMI (64 7915301)
  • 1992 –AmalaCGD (4509-90011-2)
  • 1994 –Se fossi più simpatica sarei meno antipaticaEMI (7243 8 29956 2 3)
  • 1998 –Voce prigionieraNAR (NAR 1349 2)
  • 2002 –Signorina Romeo Live
  • 2003 –Morirò d'Amore
  • 2003 –Demo De Midi
  • 2004 –Napoli che canta
  • 2006 –Unusual
  • 2008 –Cercati in me
  • 2011 –A casa di Ida Rubinstein 2011 "Cd+ Dvd
  • 2012 –Love Is a Woman
  • 2016 –Fonte d'amore

DVDs

  • 2004 –Napoli che canta
  • 2005 –Mediterranea Tour(with CDs)
  • 2007 –La sua figura

Compilations

  • 1983 –Un'estate al mare
  • 1987 –Sere d'agosto
  • 1989 –I successi di Giuni RussoSPINNAKER/RICORDI (SPI13)
  • 1990 –Le più belle canzoniCGD musicA (9031 72212-2)
  • 1996 –Onde leggereTRING (TRI 028)
  • 1997 –La sposaFUEGO (PCD 2100)
  • 1999 –AlgheroREPLAY MUSIC (RSCD 8032)
  • 2000 –Il meglio(rearranged tracks) MR MUSIC/D.V. MORE RECORD (MRCD 4198)
  • 2000 –I miei successi(rearranged tracks) D.V. MORE RECORD (CD DV 6411)
  • 2003 –Irradiazioni(unreleased tracks)
  • 2004 –Voce che grida
  • 2007 –The Complete Giuni(with unreleased tracks and rearranged tracks)

Bibliography[edit]

  • 2009 – Bianca Pitzorno, Maria Antonietta Sisini.Giuni Russo, da Un'estate al mare al Carmelo(with DVDLa sua figuraand CD with tracks unreleased demos). Bompiani, 2009.ISBN8845263533.

References[edit]

  1. ^abcdefEnrico Deregibus (8 October 2010).Dizionario completo della Canzone Italiana.Giunti Editore, 2010.ISBN978-8809756250.
  2. ^Russino, Riccardo."il papa mi hascritto:" le canzoni di giuni russo mi hanno commosso ""(PDF).giunirusso.it.
  3. ^Zonta, Claudio (2 August 2013)."GIUNI RUSSO: UNA VITA IN MUSICA".La Civiltà Cattolica.
  4. ^Riccardo, Russino."Il papa mi ha scritto:" le canzoni di Giuni Russo mi hanno commosso ""(PDF).giunirusso.it.
  5. ^Riccardo, Russino."Il papa mi ha scritto:" le canzoni di Giuni Russo mi hanno commosso ""(PDF).giunirusso.it.

External links[edit]


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